Fadnavis passes regulation on alcohol while his minister wants female names for beer
BJP MLA Girish Mahajan had said that liquor brands with female names topped the sales chart.
Maharahstra BJP's four-time MLA Girish Mahajan's irresponsible anti-women comment has got himself entangled in controversy.
Addressing a sugarcane farmers public gathering at the Satputda co-operative sugar mill in Nandurbar district, the BJP Minister said sugar factories need to rebrand their liquor products with female names so as to increase the liquor sales.
THE ANTI WOMEN STATEMENT
While discussing liqour sales with the chairman of the sugar factory Deepak Patil, Mahajan came to know that sale of its bi-product - liquor is not showing any positive growth.
During the discussion with the chairman, the Girish Mahajan inquired about the name of the liquor brand and was surprised to know that 'Maharaja' was the name given to the liquor. He quickly without thinking of the consequences said that the name was the cause for poor sales and said changing it to 'Maharani' will boost the sales.
MAHAJAN ADVOCATES FEMALE NAMES TO INCREASE LIQUOR SALES
Trying to justify his marketing advice - BJP Minister Girish Mahajan even spoke about his recent visit to other sugar factories in the nearby districts like Ahmednagar , Nasik - Nandurbar and Dhule.
Mahajan said that highest sales of liquor from the distillery units is of Shankar-Rao Kale as the name of their liquor brand is Bhingri, giving another example of the high liquor sale with female name, Mahajan said that former MLA Kolhe's factory bi-product liqour name is JULIE. He added that both the brands are reaping high sales just because of their female names.
In his speech, the BJP Minister Mahajan even stressed that products having female branding are getting better sales. To increase liquor sales companies and sugar factories need to rebrand their products with female names was advocated by Mahajan.
FADNAVIS VS MAHAJAN
Ironically, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the same day announced that Gram Rakshadal Act at Ralegaon Siddhi. This act gives special powers to the citizens to form a group and file a complaint against those involved in public nuisance due to liquor consumption or liquor sale. Mahajan also being the state health minister has the responsibility to care for the well being of the society.
However, the minister seems to have forgotten his duty as he went on to claim that tobacco products using female names were topping the sales charts.
ANTI WOMEN STATEMENT CONDEMNED ACROSS PARTIES
Girish Mahajan's anti women - statement has been condemned across the political parties with NCP women's wing in the neighbouring Dhule district calling for a juta maro andolan, at the same time the NCP women's wing had also protested by putting cow dung to the Minister Girish Mahajan's poster.
Social activist Paromita Goswami from Chandrapur district has filed a police complaint against Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan. Paromita Goswami's NGO Sharmik Elgar has been working for the downtrodden and needy women especially the tribals of Maharashtra.
Addressing the press in Mumbai BJP Minister Girish Mahajan apologised for his statement, at the same time he said that he never meant to insult women.
Mahajan is not new to controversy. He is known to have attended the wedding of underworld's most wanted Don Dawood Ibrahim and has even been spotted at school event in Jagaon with a revolver. He was also known for Kumbhmela water release controversy and fee controversy of medical college.